20181003Proposed Rule.pdf

Idaho Administrative Bulletin Page 419 October 3, 2018 – Vol. 18-10
IDAPA 31 – IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
31.11.01 – SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES FOR UTILITIES REGULATED BY THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
DOCKET NO. 31-1101-1801
NOTICE OF RULEMAKING – PROPOSED RULE
AUTHORITY: In compliance with Section 67-5221(1), Idaho Code, notice is hereby given that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission has initiated proposed rulemaking procedures. This action is authorized pursuant to Section 61-515, Idaho Code.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE: Public hearing(s) concerning this rulemaking will be scheduled if requested in writing by twenty-five (25) persons, a political subdivision, or an agency, not later than October 17, 2018.
The hearing site(s) will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for accommodation must be made not later than five (5) days prior to the hearing, to the agency address below.
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY: The following is a nontechnical explanation of the substance and purpose of the proposed rulemaking:
The Utility Safety and Accident Reporting Rules adopt by reference several national safety codes applicable to electric, telephone, and natural gas utilities and federal safety regulations applicable to natural gas and pipeline utilities. Currently, Rule 101 adopts the 2012 Edition of the National Electric Safety Code (“NESC”). The proposed rule would adopt the 2017 Edition of the NESC.
There have been several minor updates and revisions to the NESC, including amendments to the grounding rules, guy insulator rules, ice loading rule, work safety standards, and other non-substantive editorial corrections. Adopting the current NESC will help protect telephone company workers and utility workers as well as the general public.
FEE SUMMARY: The following is a specific description of the fee or charge imposed or increased: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: The following is a specific description, if applicable, of any negative fiscal impact on the state general fund greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) during the fiscal year: N/A
NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING: Pursuant to Section 67-5220(1), Idaho Code, negotiated rulemaking was not conducted because this proposed rule adopts updated national safety codes and is necessary for the safety of telephone company and utility employees and the public during the installation, operation, or maintenance of telephone lines or electric utility systems, as well as the general public.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Pursuant to Section 67-5229(2)(a), Idaho Code, the following is a brief synopsis of why the materials cited are being incorporated by reference into this rule:
Adoption of the current NESC will promote the safety of telephone company and utility employees, customers, and the general public. Additionally, incorporation by reference will mitigate the need to publish hundreds of pages of safety code.
ASSISTANCE ON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS: For assistance on technical questions concerning the proposed rule, contact Edward Jewell, Deputy Attorney General, at [phone].
Anyone may submit written comments regarding the proposed rulemaking. All written comments must be directed to the undersigned and must be delivered on or before October 24, 2018.
Dated this 30th day of August, 2018.
Diane M. Hanian, Commission Secretary 472 W. WashingtonIdaho Public Utilities Commission Boise, ID 83702-5918Telephone: [phone] PO Box 83720Facsimile: [phone] Boise, ID 83720-0074
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Docket No. 31-1101-1801Safety & Accident Reporting Rules for Utilities Regulated by IPUC Proposed Rulemaking
Idaho Administrative Bulletin Page 420 October 3, 2018 – Vol. 18-10
THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROPOSED TEXT OF DOCKET NO. 31-1101-1801(Only Those Sections With Amendments Are Shown.)
101. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY CODE (NESC) (RULE 101).The Commission adopts by reference the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C2-20127 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), 20127 Edition. The National Electrical Safety Code, 20127 Edition, is published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., and is available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5997 and may be ordered by calling 1-800-678-IEEE. All electrical and telephone corporations subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction are required to abide by applicable provisions of the NESC.(3-29-12)( )